Saturday, February 19, 2011

Healing Notes of Music

There is an underlying (main) reason I began this blog. To help me heal, or at least deal with the grief & guilt I feel over losing my cousin, my closest confidant, Marriah Elizabeth, last May. However; I don't feel strong enough to reveal all the thoughts and feelings I have pertaining to her at this time. I have been wanting to share so many things, but don't know how to get it all together into cohesive sentences.

I have found some solace in visiting her grave and letting all the sadness pour out in the form of sobs & tears, those episodes where your pain is so very real you can't have coherent thoughts, you're crying just for the release and relief; because the pain not only lives in your chest and stomach, it's dug it's claws into you so completely that you can almost hold it in your hands, an orb shaped ball of despair, that you turn over and over in your hands examining it as if it's some alien object. That's how palpable grief can be.

Marriah & myself shared so much of a taste in music, that it is now a comfort to me. She would come to my house and we could talk for hours about music, and our playlists were almost identical. That particular memory of our friendship has been a place I can run to when I get overwhelmed with missing her. We discussed music so often, that actually we discussed what we wanted played at our funerals. We had just sat by one another through another cousins funeral, and had went for a cup of coffee and a catch up session. We discussed what would be the best songs to have played at our funerals. I remember her vetoing many songs because she thought they'd be too hard on her Mom. That was her, always thinking of others. It kills me now, that we were just talking casually, and little did we know....she would only be with us for three more weeks. It's a hard pill to swallow, but I'm choking it down a minute amount every single day.

I find music can be a healing river, the rivulets of notes running down, washing through my memories, I can close my eyes, breathe deep, inhale the solace of the old spirituals that reassure me Marriah is in Heaven, and has found a peace and happiness that she so much deserved.

I have seen, my last tomorrowI am holding my last breathgoodbye, sweet world of sorrowMy new life begins with death.

I am standing on the mountain, I can hear the angels songI am reaching over Jordan,Take my hand, Lord lead me home.

All my burdens are behind meI have prayed my final prayerDon't you cry over my body, Cause that aint me lying there. Take my hand, Lord lead me HOME.

There are probably millions of songs I could use to describe what I feel, and it would take a million words to describe how much I miss her. How much I wish I had just one more second.To take her face in between my hands, look her in the eye, and tell her how much I loved her & believed in her. And tell her I know that she loved me purely & unselfishly, and I strive to emulate that in my friendships, which in my mind is a memorial to her. Enjoy, appreciate, show the friends that still remain how much I love them, so I won't repeat my past transgressions.

I love one particular song, (the Jamey Johnson version) entitled "Dreaming my Dreams." It is written from a male to female perspective, but just minor word changes describe exactly how I feel. The way the song resonates with me is more about how one interacts with their best friend, the ones we're not too self concious to reveal our deepest, craziest ambitions and plans to. Marriah never laughed at me or my crazy hair-brained schemes. She was never, ever negative about my opinions or decisions. Perhaps that's why I love this song, because it helps me realize one of the things I miss most about her, her energy, zest for tackling life, and her undying optimism. Her belief, her dream that everything would just work itsself out.

Here's the version of words I hear, when I listen to it:

I hope that I won't be that wrong anymoreMaybe I'll learn this timeI hope that you found what you were reaching forthat way that you are in my mind.

Someday, I'll get over losing youI'll live to see it all through,but I will always missdreaming my dreams with you.

But I won't let it change me,not if I can.I'd rather keep believing in loveAnd give it away As much as I canTo those that I'm fondest of.

Someday I'll get over losing you,I'll live to see it all throughBut I'll always missDreaming my dreams with you.

6 comments:

Belinda Crosby Chapman--As usual, you did great! I am so sorry for the pain and sadness you feel and I dont know if she can look down from the heavens or not. BUT I do know that she is in a place so wonderful that we can cannot begin to understand. You will see her again one day, in the meantime share those precious memories with her children. Those memories will mean the world to them. Love you girl.

Thanks for your sweet words, Belinda. Sometimes I hope she can't see me, when I'm really missing her...because I KNOW without a doubt what she'd say. "SHUTUP TRINIDY YOU WHINING IDIOT!" HA Because she said that to me a lot in real life when I would cry! HA HA Good memories!

I don't know if anyone could ever get over loosing someone that way. But you can always call me on the dark days. I will not hesitate to tell you to stop whining :). Seriously. Very sad but very well written. And as far as the heaven part goes I think they can only see the good. Love you ~ julie

Hoolie--I don't know how I could have made it through these last 9 months without you. Thank you for everything, for being my backbone, for being my sanity when I needed someone to talk me down off the ledge. I love you so much. And trust me, you have told me to stop whining, and I have NO DOUBT you will slap me if ever I get hysterical. Like they do in the movies. HA

Trish Smith Mascarenas--I thought your latest blog was really good. I am so sorry that you are having to experience the pain of having lost your cousin. From everything I've read about her from your posts and blogs, she was an amazing person. I know that there are times when I miss some of the people I've lost so much that I get that physical pain you described. Music has always been something I've relied on to help me through those times too. It is awesome how certain songs can soothe you when you need it most. Well, just wanted to say keep up the good work with the blogs. I hope all is well there. Love yahll.

Trin. I read your blog...You and Marriah shared a relationship that I believe is very rare.. being related and being that close to someone is even more rare..You are so right she was always worried about someone else's feelings, over hers....She couldnt stand the thought of someone being angry with her, for those she loved, it was unconditional..... she truly loved them..You and she were blessed to have shared the love for each other that yall had. My heart is heavy for your grief, words cant say how much I hurt because of your hurt,(and what you have been through since her leaving us) Maybe, maybe, one day it won't hurt so bad...When you think of her you can smile for what yall shared, and the tears will be because you had something that few people ever have. TRUE FRIENDSHIP. You were her friend, cherish that. She will always be with you. I love you.